What defines kidnapping in a legal context?

In a legal context, kidnapping is primarily defined as the unlawful confinement or restraint of a person without their consent, which is captured well by the choice indicating unlawful confinement without consent. The core of kidnapping law centers around the act of taking or holding an individual against their will, which encompasses various situations such as forcibly restraining someone or deceiving them into confinement.

This definition emphasizes the wrongful nature of the act and the absence of consent, which distinguishes kidnapping from other legal concepts. Factors like motive or the relationship between the parties involved (as seen in other choices) do not negate the fundamental elements required to establish the crime of kidnapping. For instance, taking a child from a parent might imply a kidnapping scenario but lacks the broad legal scope that the definition involves. Similarly, a mission to rescue someone does not fit within the legal framework of kidnapping, as it suggests an intention to help rather than to unlawfully confine. Lastly, helping a person escape from lawful custody might complicate the legal situation but does not embody the essence of kidnapping, which is an unlawful act of confinement or restraint.